Recycled Plastic Bag Wreath {Earth Day Project}

I have a lot of reusable shopping bags, however I’m the one who is always forgetting to take them to the store with me to actually use. So with Earth Day quickly approaching, this year I am really going to try and take a pledge to remember the bags and say bye-bye to plastic for good. To kick off my campaign I found a way to recycle and reuse all the plastic bags I currently have in the house. Who would of thought those plastic bags could look so pretty?

I started by cutting the handles and the printed {logo} front off the plastic bags.

I then scrunched each bag into a vertical strip and folded half,

and then in half again, making a loop at the top. I used a tiny bit of hot glue to secure the end to ensure it would not unravel.

Using a screwdriver {stick with me – I made this up as I went along} I poked a hole into a 10 inch Dollar Tree wreath form. By circling the screwdriver a couple of times it made the hole a little bit larger ~ the larger the better.

Filling the hole with a good slab of hot glue I stuck in the rolled end of the bag, then went back with the screwdriver to poke in any pieces that were sticking out.

Using my pinking shears I cut the loop in half…

…then the fun part of fluffing.

I ran out of white plastic bags {I only had a few} so I used clear twist tie bags that I had on hand as filler, applying the same folding technique. The clear bags can be found in the food storage section of any grocery store and usually run around $2.00 for a box of 100.

I just adore how this turned out!

The pinking shears add the perfect little ruffle to the edges.

I only covered the front of the wreath form since it will be hanging against a door. The burlap hanger is simply hot glued to the back.

The clear bags give it a little iridescent shimmer.

So pretty for a dollar {the cost of the wreath form as the other supplies I had on hand}

Plus I can proudly say bye-bye plastic…Happy Earth Day!

Don’t forget to stop back tomorrow for the firstSunday Showcase Party!I have a special giveaway planned to kick things off! Enjoy!

What a great ideal, I also sometimes use them for garbage can liners, but have far to many to use. Another way I have found to recycle them is to donate them to our local thrift store. The lady who runs the store is all to happy to recieve them, she said it saved her from having to buy them. Great job.Sandy

What a beautiful recycled design. I always use reusable bags but my husband always forgets. Maybe I will try this instead of recycling them. Btw, I leave my reusable bags in the trunk so I always have them when I need them. After, I empty them, I hang them on the door knob so that I remember to put them back in the trunk for the next time.

I see that you don’t need another comment, but I couldn’t resist since this is so reminiscent of my childhood. My crafty and clever Mama recycled EVERYTHING when we were kids, and she made these wreaths from a wire coat hanger frame and strips of dry cleaner bags knotted around the wire until it was full and fluffy. She had so many people that wanted them, she ended up having to buy a roll of dry cleaner bags from our local dry cleaning shop! Back then they came in clear and light green, so her wreaths were just gorgeous! Thanks for the memory boost and a way for me to re-use the 800,000,000 bags I have stuffed in my cabinet!! Best to you,Andi

This is a really cool project…I’ve been trying to find SOMETHING to do with all the extra bags I have on hand!! I’ll make sure to send you a link to the post once I complete the project!! Thanks for sharing!

I’m definitely making this with the 4 year old I watch. I’m going to try and use a small drill instead of the screw driver. I’m hoping it will save a little time. Going to also fill in with bits of left over tulle I have from other projects.

Thanks so much. I am new to the DIY world at home with MS since 06/2013. Creative juices are flowing but can’t afford many projects. This one is great and I like you try to use my own shopping bags but forget often and have tons of the plastic ones. I made this and sprayed it with a little glitter on the ends. Really pretty.
Thanks!

Some of the products or services appearing on this site have been received complimentary, or by affiliate, in hopes that they would be mentioned. Regardless, I only recommend and share products or services I personally use and believe my readers will enjoy. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”